Why the Democrats' campaign man voted 'no'

1/1/13 11:07 AM EST

The vast majority of Senate Democrats voted for the fiscal cliff deal, but not the man in charge of getting them reelected: Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

Bennet, the new chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement that he rejected the agreement because it does little to reduce the deficit. Calling Washington the “Land of Flickering Lights,” Bennet criticized the deal for not setting in motion a long-term debt reduction plan.

“While I do support many of the items in this proposal – for example, extending unemployment insurance, the wind production tax credit and tax cuts for most Americans – I believe they should have come in the context of a comprehensive deficit reduction package,” Bennet said. “Without a serious mechanism to reduce the debt, I cannot support this bill.”

“Putting the country on a sustainable fiscal path and bringing our debt under control is incredibly important to our economy and our standing in the world and is a top priority for me,” Bennet continued. “I remain committed to continue working with any Republican or Democrat willing to address this problem in a serious way. Colorado’s kids deserve no less.”

Bennet was one of only eight “no” votes in the Senate. Eighty-nine senators voted in favor.